“We know that travel guidance has had substantial consequences on local business and of course we’re working very hard with local authorities to address the mosquito problem and try to support the individuals in this zone,” Schuchat stated in a call with reporters.
However, US Travel Association president Roger Dow said during the call that although the potential for economic harm from Zika exists, there so far is no evidence of long-term damage. The association represents companies in the travel industry.
The total number of nontravel-related Zika cases in Florida is now up to 70. None of the other 47 contiguous US states has recorded a case of Zika that isn’t travel-related.
The current Zika outbreak began in Brazil in spring 2015. The virus is not believed to cause serious complications for healthy adults, but it can cause severe brain defects including microcephaly in newborns.
